Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 813, Byzantine emperor Michael I, under threat by conspiracies, abdicates in favor of his general Leo the Armenian, and becomes a monk (under the name Athanasius). In 1906, Herbert Wehner, German politician, Minister of Intra-German Relations (died 1990) was born. In 1912, Sergiu Celibidache, Romanian conductor and composer (died 1996) was born. In 1943, Massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army within the Reichskommissariat Ukraine (Volhynia) peak. In 1943, World War II: Allied invasion of Sicily: German and Italian troops launch a counter-attack on Allied forces in Sicily. In 1950, Pakistan joins the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank. In 1972, Cormac Battle, English-Irish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer was born. In 1980, Kevin Powers, American soldier and author was born. In 1995, Yugoslav Wars: Srebrenica massacre begins; lasts until 22 July. In 2011, Ninety-eight containers of explosives self-detonate killing 13 people in Zygi, Cyprus. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.